Reptiles Flashcards by Brianna Cochran

Terrapins fall under what Order in the Reptilia Class?

Chelonia. Along with Turtles and Tortoises

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What reptiles belong to the Order Squamata?

Snakes - Suborder Serpente
Lizards - Suborder Sauria

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Which appendix of CITES includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival?

Appendix i
Appendix ii
Appendix iii
Appendix iv

Appendix ii

Btw, I made up Appendix iv, so yeah.

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Which species are protected under Appendix i of CITES?

Those species threatened with extinction.

Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as research.

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Which appendix of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is a list of animals that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

Appendix i
Appendix ii
Appendix iii
Appendix iv

Appendix iii

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What does the term Ectotherm mean?

That body temperature is maintained based on the surrounding environment.

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Define POTR (POTZ)

What is the POTR for a temperate zone reptile vs a desert reptile. (Though she said this wouldn’t be on the exam)

Prefered Optimal Temperate Range/Zone

Temperate: Day 80-90F Night 70-75F

Hibernation can be maintained 35-59F for a minimum of 10 weeks.

Desert: Day 85-95F Night 70-75F

Desert reptiles have a different day preference but night is the same. Deserts are just a little warmer than tempterate areas.

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As far as ectotherms regulating thier body temps go, you have your Stenothermals and your Eurythermals. One is an organism that can tollerate a wide range of temerparture, and the one can’t. Which is which?

Stenothermal - No, nope, cant handle temperature changes.

Ex, Terrestial animals

Eurythermal - Surely can handle temperature changes.

Ex, Sea critters. Like Sea turtles that traverse the wide majestic ocean and all their temperatures. (they can get cold stunning though if the temp change happens to fast)

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Name me the part of the reptile body that protects it, aids in locomotions, allows mositure to be retained, helps with camouflage, and can be modified to make a rattle sound.

Scales

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What are the modified scales of Crocodiles and chelonians called?

Scutes

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Reptiles have both Renal & Hepatic circulation.

Which form of circulation runs on the ventral midline, just under the ventral abdominal musculature?

The Hepatic Portal system

Takin dem bloods from the intestine to the liver

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T/F: The Renal portal system takes blood from the caudal portion of the body and puts it directly into the kidneys.

False

the blood CAN enter the Kidneys, or it can bypass them entirely

So class, this is why we avoid giving drugs in the back end, but fluids are cool.

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Why do we consider reptiles to be Uricotelic?

Because thier primary nitrogenous waste is URIC ACID, not urea.

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T/F: Reptiles can not produce hypertonic urine.

True

They can’t concentrate urine beyond plasma concentration.

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T/F: Ecdysis is stimulated when one snake wants to attract another snake. Ergo, it gets naked.

False, you perv.

It is the regular sheding of skin stimulated by the Thyroid, Age and Health Status.

Snakes shed everything, even around the eyes. Lizards shed in patches. Chelonia and Crocs shed individual scutes.

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Dysecdysis manifests most commonly in what locations?

Around the tail, digits and areas with scars or previous injuries.

Commonly in animals kept in inappropiate humidity.

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What spectrum of light do reptiles need and why?

UVA (for behaviors or A for Attitude)

& UVB (for Vit D3 production in skin

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T/F: As long as the glass is clear (not covered with pictures or flim) you can shine your reptile’s light source through it to mimic a normal day length.

False

glass reflects UVB .. sooo don’t do that. Get a screen.

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T/F: Excess moisture/humidity leades to dysecdysis and dessication while inadequate moisture leads to dermatitis.

False, flip dat shiz

Excess moisture = dermatitis

Inadequate moisture = dysecdysis and dessication

Sub-trop: 70-90% Temperate: 60-80% Desert: 35-50%

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Which is an example of a substrate you shold NOT use in your reptile’s enclosure?

newspaper
papertowel
astrotruf
outdoor carpet
cat litter/quartz sand/cedar shaving mix
normal sized gravel
aspen shavings
playsand

cat litter/quartz sand/cedar shaving mix

None of those should ever be used. Be them as a mix or seperate.

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Heather thinks toxic plants are gorgeous, because lets be real, in nature the more deadly you are, the prettier you are too. So, instead of buying a planter for them, she decides to save money and spice up her lizards enclosure. Heather knows her reptile would never be dumb enough to eat or play on something so pretty. Is Heather being a good reptile mom?

NO! She is bad and she should feel bad.

Dont use toxic plants as cage furniture.

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Gabriela recently found a baby sea turtle washed up on the shore and wanted to keep it for a few days to make all the Finding Nemo Snapchats. Aside from that probably being illegal, she doesn’t want to be a bad reptile mom like Heather was. What 5 things should she monitor in the salt water tank?

pH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Salinity

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Regarding snake nutrition, which statement is incorrect?

Prey should be no larger than the girth of the snake
Offer prey on the substrate the snake is on
Train to take pre-killed prey
Do not freeze food >12 weeks
Do not feed temperate species at least 4 weeks before hibernation

Offer prey on the substrate the snake is on

FLASE

You should feed them on a solid surface as to minimize the chance of them ingesting whatever substrate the prey is on.

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In regards to insectivorous lizard nutrition, which statement is INCORRECT?

Live prey should be no larger than width of lizards head
all insects should be nutrient loaded prior to feeding 30 minutes before
dust insects with calcium rich supplement
feed as many insects as can be eaten in 2 hours
feed daily.

HA there were two wrong this time. Did you catch it?

all insects should be nutrient loaded prior to feeding 1-2 days before

feed as many insects as can be eaten in 1 hour

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How often should you feed carnivorous lizards a lean rodent meal?

Neonates/Juveniles - Ever 1-3 Days Adults: Every 3-7 Days some Monitors: Ever 1-2 weeks

Vegetables rich in oxalic acid (oxalates) can bind calcium and reduce absoprtion. Thus skewing the Ca:P ratio. These should be avoided being fed to our herbiverous lizards and tortoises. What are some examples?

Parsley, Spinach, Chives, Alfalfa

Is it aight to feed commercial primate, canine and feline diets to carnivorous tortoises and lizards?

Naw, dont do that. Way too high in protein. Sounds like you just want them to have Gout.

What are some things you can feed carnivorous Turtles and Terrapins? What should you avoid?

Feed lean mice & chicken to larger species. Shrimps, prawns and whole fish to most. Avoid shellfish with poor Ca:P, or fish with excess thiaminase

Which of these would not be part of an initial diagnostic workup? * PE * CBC * Plasma BioChem * Fecal * Radiographs * Surgery

Surgery is not part of an INITIAL diagnostic workup.

What is wrong with how this small lizard is being restrained?

Back legs look like they are not against the body. Otherwise good technique Want the head held firmly between the thumb and index finger Hold body in the cup of hand. Hold front and back legs against the body. Avoid Grabbing the tail

Medium Sized Lizard restraint differs. It looks like this.

Thie body is supported along the forarm, with the tail tucked in between the elbow and your body. Be aware of where thier face is, incase they try to bite your chest or belly.

Some lizards will lose thier tails as a self defense mechanism or when stressed. A new tail will grow back and be made of cartilage instead of bone/vertebrae. What is this tail loosing called?

Tail Autotomy

How should you restrain a nonvenomous snake?

Hold head with the index finger and thumb around the madible Support the body every 3 ft

How do you handle a deadly snake?

Magically and safely shove its head a good way up a tube.

How should you hold a "small" crocodilian?

* Tape the mouth shut * Hold at the tail base and neck

What is the best way to handle a small chelonian? What about a large one?

Small: grasp the lateral margins of the carapace for terresttrial grasp carapace just caudal to head and between the rear flippers for aquatic. Orient them vertically to get them calmer. Adults: Can be huge, needs many people. Be mindful of the head and flippers

Students should be familiar with the physical exam process and be able to perform a physical examination on a reptile patient

Get weight Observe respiration (only croc have a pseudo-disphragm) Get temp via deep cloacal Get HR and rhythm via stethoscope, pulse ox cloacal probe, doppler probe around thoracic inlet Check them from the nares to the tail

Which reptiles have complete tracheal rings, thus making you want to avoid inflating a trach tube should you use one?

Crocs and Chelonians

T/F: In reptile lungs, the cranial lungs are used for gas exchange, while the caudal lungs are used for storage.

True

T/F: Reptiles have three chambered hearts

False All reptiles but Croc have three chambered hearts. Crocs have 4 chambers. Though there is communication between the Ventricles.

What kind of ears do Reptiles have?

External Ear - Lizards & Crocs External tympanum - Cheloanians and Lizards Inner ear Only - Snakes

Which reptiles have Brille (spectacle) eyes?

Snakes

Why would putting atropine drops into either Reptilian or Avian eyes not likely dialate the pupil?

Because the Irises are made of skeletal muscle (nicotinic receptors). Atropine affects smooth muscle (muscarinic receptors).

T/F: Reptiles and Birds lack a consensual PLR

True

What is Jacobson's organ?

A vomeronsal organ innervated by the olfactory nerve that opens directly into the mouth.

Which reptiles lack teeth?

Chelonians they have a sharp tomia instead

T/F: Venomous snakes have 4 rows of teeth in the uppper arcade and 2 in the lower.

False Venomous have 2 rows in both upper and lower arcade. Nonvenomous have 4 rows in the upper aracde and 2 in the lower.

What special adaption for feeding do sea turtles have lining thier throat?

Esophageal papillae

T/F: Reptile epidermis has lost respiratoy function and prevents fluid loss.

True

What are the boney plates that support the epidermal scales?

Osteoderms They can be seen on Xrays

Which of these lack a sternum? Chelonians Lizards Snakes Crocs

Chelonians and Snakes

What can be palpated in the caudal coelomic cavity?

Eggs Cystic Calculi Organ Enlargement Masses Fluid

Where can you palpate that aids in assesing gravidity, colonic and cloacal tone, cystic calculi or space occupying lesions?

The Cloaca

The Cloaca is made up of the Coprodeum, Urodeum and Proctodeum. Which one is the area that urine and feces mix?

Proctodeum

T/F: Just like in birds, female reptiles only have the left ovary.

False They have paired ovaries

T/F: Chelonians have a single median penis that comes out of the cloaca while Lizard and Snakes have a piar of hemipenes located in the cloaca.

True

Which is NOT a part of the minimum database for a reptile? Hematocrit Total solids (protein) Glucose Ca:P Plasma biochemical panel Bacterial blood culture prior to antimicrobial therapy

Ca:P

How many mls of blood can safely be drawn from a reptile?

0.5ml/100g BW

What are the anticoagulants of choice in reptiles?

**Lithium and Sodium Heparin** EDTA causes red blood cell lysis in chelonians

List 6 sites you can perform venipuncture on a Chelonian

1. Jugular 2. Coccygeal 3. Bracial 4. Subcarapacial 5. Interdigital Vein (letherbacks) 6. Dorsal cervical sinus

Where can you perform venipuncture on a snake?

Caudal vein (ventral tail) - Caudal to cloaca, 25-50% down the tail Heart - not recommended, 22-33% from snout to vent

If you do dare to take blood from the snakes heart, how long must you maintain digital pressure after?

30-60 seconds

What three sites can blood be drawn from a lizard?

1. Caudal (tail) vein 2. Ventral abdomnal vein 3. Juglar vein

Where can you obtain a blood sample from on a crocodilian?

1. Caudal (ventral tail) vein - small to medium crocs 2. Supravertebral - medium to larger crocs

When taking RADs of a Chelonian, what views should you take?

1. Dorsoventral 2. Lateral 3. Craniocaudal

Normal BG for reptiles is 70-100 g/dl. How would you treat a BG between 20-40 g/dl?

10% dextrose bolus IV If 40-50 g/dl - 5% dextros in LRS IC If \<20 d/dl- bolus 50% 0.5 to 1 mL per kg

Total Solids/Protein are a source of energy and the building blocks for \_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_, _____ & \_\_\_\_\_

Bone, Muscle, Skin, Enzymes & Hormones

What are neutrophils called in reptiles?

Heterophils

What is the normal Ca:P ?

**2:1** Inverse can be due to Renal Disease Hypercalcemia may occue in reproductively active females

Changes in uric acid level on a biochem panel can be from what 3 processes?

Dietary intake Dehydration Renal DZ

What causes Elevated/Decreased NaCl levels ?

Elevated - Dehydration & Dietary Intake Decreased - Malnutrition

K levels can become elevated with Renal Dz. What can cause them to decrease?

Re-feeding syndrome

Several parasites can be found when doing a fecal float. What are we looking for when performing sedimentation?

Trematode eggs

What are the 3 acoustic windows for US visceral examination in chelonians?

1. Mediastinal - cardiac 2. Axilliary - liver, pectorals, heart 3. Inguinal - kidney, bladder, stomach, intestines, right liver lobe, repro tract, gallbladder

What are the three crystalloid fluids used in reptiles?

1. Reptile Ringers Solution 2. Normasol-R 3. LRS

What is Reptile Ringers comprised of?

1 part LRS + 2 parts 2.5% dextrose and 0.45%NaCl

What colloid options have been used in chelonians?

1. Hetastarch - diluted 1:2-3 with 0.9% Saline 2. Oxyglobin - seaturtles and desert tortoises (mm become discolored)

What routes are used to administer fluids for rapid rehydration or emergency?

IV & IO necessary for whole/artificial blood, colloidal fluids, fluids with \>5% dextrose

What routes can be used to administer fluids in reptiles?

1. Jugular 2. Cervical Sinus (sea turtles) - bolus IV fluid therapy 3. IC - can compromise lung space and absorb poor 4. SQ - poor absorption, must be 2.5% dextrose or less 5. PO - stomach volume is 2% BW or 20 mL/kg 6. Soak - 24 hours, reduces epibiota 7. Intra-cloacal

How much fluids can be administered to a reptile?

No more than 2-3% BW per dat 15-30 mL/kg/day

Which antiparasitic should NEVER be used in Chelonians?

Ivermectin

How long before sutures can be removed in reptiles?

4-6 weeks Squamates wait until next ecdysis (months)

What is the primary holding layer for reptile incisions?

**Skin** Coelomic membrane and body wall

Before inducing a debilitated turtle, what parameters would concern you and make you want to stabilize the turtle first?

PCV \<10% TP \<2.0 g/dl Respiratory compromise Sepsis

What drugs would you use for a **short non-invasive** procedure or to **induce** anesthesia?

Medetomidine & Ketamine Propofol - dilute 2 saine:1 prop given over 2 minutes

What would you add to Medetomidine/Ketamine and Propofol for an **invasive** or **prolonged** procedure to make a more complete anesthetic plan?

Iso/Sevo Thermoregulatory support HR monitor - Doppler/PulseOx/ECG Dry dock 24 hours post anesthesia Analgesia (NSAID/Opioid)

What MUST you have prior to NSAID administration?

Adequate Renal Function

T/F: In reptiles, NSAIDs decrease endotoxin production in septic patients and in general should not be administered for more than 3 days.

True

What are signs of a reptile being in pain?

They are stoic so... Decreased appetite, depression, alteration in normal behavior

Which Opioids are relatively short acting, can cause depression and SHOULD NOT be used with head trauma?

Butorphanol & Bupernorphine

What is the gold standard of medical honeys?

Manuka Honey from New Zealand

Melissa has just begun day one of her reptile rotation. A lizard is brought in for muscle tremors/fasiculations. On PE Melissa notes tooth loss and abnormal looking limbs. Durring the history taking, she learns that the patient's main light source is from the sun shining through the outside window, and that it is fed a phosphorus rich diet. Blood work shows low normal Ca++ and RADs show loss of cortical density and fractures. She diagnoses the patient with ....

Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism CS, inadequate light source, diet with imbalanced Ca:P, low normal Ca++, pathologic fractures, tooth loss, fibrous osteodystrophy, loss of cortical density

What should Melissa recommend as treatment for this patient?

Correct diet and environment Fluid Therapy Calcium glubionate Vit D Therapy ~~Possibly Calcitonin if BW monitored closely~~

Which nuitritional DZ is caused in adult reptiles by water deprivation and a high protein diet, and manifests with hyperuricemia and lesions around or near joints on RADs?

Gout

How to you get a definitive diagnosis of Gout?

Go looking for gouti tophi to biopsy. Demonstrate **monosodium urate crystals** within joints or tophi.

What would a recommended treatment plan look like for Gout?

Correct diet (low purine high moisture food, regular water access) Fluid (caution with secondary renal dz) Probenecid Allopurinol Corticosteroids for inflammation

T/F: Probenecid increases secretion of the monosodium urate crystals while Allopurinol reduces hepatic production of them.

True

What signalment and history are associated with Hypovitaminosis A?

Young, fast growing chelonian Long term rehabiliation chelonian Inappropiate diet lacking adequate Vitamin A (green plants)

Name some clinical signs of Hypovitaminosis A

Bilateral blephatoedem (squamos metaplasia) Nasal/Ocular Discharge Lethargy Anorexia Weight loss Pneumonia Diarrhea Abscesses

How does one treat Hypovitaminosis A?

Correct diet/enviornmnet Fluids Correct Vit A level - supplement, Injection, Raw Liver Overdose man lead to epidermal sloughing - recovery takes 4-6 months. treatment similar to severe burn treatment

What leads to Pyramiding?

High protein diet Humidity below 25%

What disorder results from feeding fish frozen for longer than 12 weeks, presents with neurological signs, and is diagnosed by response to Vit B1 25 mg/kg/day?

Thiamine deficiency you better have gotten that from the diagnosis if nothing else, or get out.

Small enclosures can results in rostral abrasions, which may abcess or give way to osteomyelitis. How are these abrasions treated?

Abx Surgical curettage

Inappropiate low temperature ranges can lead to hypothermia, anorexia and immunocompromisation. The Immunocompromisation can lead to abscesses. What is different in reptile abscesses from those in mammals?

Hard/solid mass No presence of heat, erythema, fever

Aural Abscesses can be seen in immunosupressed reptiles, those with high levels of bacteria in their water and chelonias suffering from hypovitaminosis A. What kind of bacteria is most prominent in these abscesses?

Aerobic gram-negative

Too high of temperature in reptilian enclosures can cause thermal burns. So you will treat any contaminated wounds, use Abx and give suppoertice care

What are some potential complications of inappropriate substrate?

Obstruction Bacterial infections

So a reptile walks into a bar feeling dehydrated, regurgitating and his belly is swollen. Whats goin on?

Cryptosporidiosis

You notice that an iguana has some stunting and diarrhea. The next day its dead. What does it most likely have?

Coccidiosis

Iridovirus clinically presents similar to herpes with a stomatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis complex. Which reptiles does this virus affect?

Chelonians and Lizards

How do you treat herpes?

With supportive care and Acyclovir when symptomatic .. though Herpes is for life

A bunch of turtles in an enclosure have nasal/ocular discharge and palpebral edema. Some seem like they have pneumonia. You do a PCR and discover the agent. You then decide you will treat with a Tertacycline or Fluoroquinolone. What agent did you discover?

*Mycoplasma agassizii* The infected may not be reintorduced back into the wild or into a healthy collection of animals becaus this is never completely cleared and spread by direct contact.

Adenovirus is commonly seen in snakes, lizards and bearded dragons. How do you treat breeding reptiles with this Dz?

You dont .. you cull them. Others can be given supportive care

Paramycovirus can be found in lizards and snakes. CS include nasal discharge, purulent hemorrhagic discharge from the glottis and neurologic signs. Why might you give an affected reptile Abx?

From a resultant secondary bacterial infection caused by the severe inflammation.

Inclusionbody Dz mainly affects what kinds of snakes?

Boas and Pythons. CNS Dysfunction Euthanize animal because they won't survive.

T/F: Salmonella is not zoonotic

SUCH FALSE

T/F: ALL reptiles have the potential for carrying and spreading salmonella

True

T/F: It is super easy to establish salmonella status of a reptile

False It can be transiently shed

What is the best way to disinfect an area you are concerned about salmonella being in?

Bleach